Rock band The Twang have hit back at Glastonbury cynics, defending the festival’s line up and stating it is their favourite event.The Somerset weekender has come under fire this year as tickets struggled to sell out for the first time, with many blaming the headlining choice of Jay-Z.Frontman Phil Etheridge said: 'Glastonbury's the best festival in the world, simple as that. People blaming the fact that Jay-Z is headlining is bollocks, as he will f**king rock it. It’s better than having some 80's throwback singing wedding songs trying to headline.'Phil thinks the reluctant ticket sales had nothing to do with the music, adding: 'To be honest, I think it's the signing up process that’s the problem. I don't think I could be arsed to register for a festival and I'm sure loads just forget.'The Twang also revealed that playing Glastonbury last year has been their gigging highlight: 'Headlining the John Peel tent last year was amazing for us. All our families were there which was ace, and it was a really great atmosphere. I’ll never forget it, and I just hope we can blag a slot this year.'The Glastonbury debate was fuelled earlier this month when Seatwave, the UK’s largest fan-to-fan ticket exchange company, predicted that 2008 will be the year for smaller festivals.Seatwave’s Marketing Director, James Burgess said: 'Fans are increasingly losing interest in going to Glastonbury. It’s too big, too much of a hassle to get to, has a disappointing line-up, and it always rains! 'Instead we’re seeing loads of enthusiasm for some of the smaller, niche festivals like Latitude, Green Man and End of the Road.'

Burgess added: 'Why bother trudging through crowds and mud to see Jay-Z when you can enjoy a much more intimate atmosphere at a smaller festival?'

Kayley Pearce